State military decorations are awarded in recognition of heroism, meritorious service or achievement. State military decorations recognize achievement, which have significantly contributed to the readiness or effectiveness of a unit or organization, or have made a notable contribution to the morale or esprit de corps of unit or organization. Exceptional command as leadership of crew, team, section, squad or similar awards must be based on specific achievement. The State Awards and Decorations are listed in order of precedence.

Kentucky Medal for Valor

 

The Medal for Valor may be awarded to a member of the Kentucky National Guard who has distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while in the service of the State and/or United States. Additionally, it must have involved personal risk of life or a performance of more than ordinarily hazardous service, the omission of which would not justly subject the person to censure for shortcoming or failure in the performance of duty. No award of the Medal for Valor shall be made except upon clear and uncontested proof of at least one eyewitness or person having personal knowledge of the act or deed.

Description: The Kentucky Medal for Valor is a gold medal with the Great Seal of Kentucky superimposed on a cross combined with crossed sabers with words "Medal for Valor" inscribed around the seal. The medal is suspended from a ribbon of navy blue background, with two wide, vertical white bands. The recipients name and rank are engraved in the reverse side of the medal. The ribbon carries the same colors as described for the medal.

The Remington Centennial Trophy

 

On a daily basis hundreds of Kentucky Guard personnel and visitors to the Headquarters of the Kentucky National Guard pass by this beautiful trophy without giving it the first thought. Many likely assume it is a minuteman statute. Located on the landing of the main staircase in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) building, the trophy has stood a lonely vigil since the building was first opened in 1974, prior to that it was located in the Office of the Adjutant General in the State Capitol.

Learn More about The Remington Centennial Trophy

Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal

 

The Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal is awarded to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces, DOD Civilian, DMA Civilian, and Allied Forces who has distinguished himself / herself through exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of an outstanding service or achievement. Criteria for members of the Armed Forces of the United States are as follows: The performance must have been such as to merit recognition of key individuals for service rendered in a clearly exceptional manner. Performance of duties normal to the grade, branch, specialty, or assignment, and experience of an individual is not an adequate basis for this award. For services not related to actual war, the term "key individuals" applies to a narrower range of positions than in time of war and requires evidence of significant achievement. In peacetime, service should be in the nature of a special requirement or of an extremely difficult duty performed in an unprecedented and clearly exceptional manner. However, justification of the award may accrue by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of important positions. Criteria for DOD Civilians, DMA Civilians, and Allied Forces: Exceptional performance of outstanding service or achievement resulting in direct and positive impact to a Kentucky Army National Guard unit or the organization as a whole. The service or achievement will be clearly identifiable, measurable, and beyond the normal level for the position of the individual.

Description: The Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal is a gold medal with the Great Seal of Kentucky superimposed on a round medal with a wreath in its outer edge and the word "Kentucky" at the top of the medal and the words "Distinguished Service" inscribed around the medal. The medal suspended from a ribbon of light blue background with one vertical band of red between two white bands. The recipient name and rank are engraved on the reverse side of the medal. The ribbon for this medal carries the same description as for the medal.

Kentucky Merit Ribbon

 

The Kentucky Merit Ribbon may be awarded to Kentucky National Guardsmen for the following: For heroism above and beyond the normal call of duty that does not merit the award of a higher medal. For exceptional and meritorious performance of assigned duties. For exceptional achievement.

Description: The Kentucky Merit Ribbon is medium blue in color, with four vertical gold stripes.

Kentucky Commendation Ribbon

 

The Kentucky Commendation Ribbon may be awarded to members of the Kentucky National Guard for the following: Heroism above and beyond the normal call of duty that does not merit the award of a higher medal. Outstanding performance of duty. Outstanding achievement.

Description: The Kentucky Commendation Ribbon has alternating maroon and white stripes of equal width.

Outstanding Soldier/Airman Ribbon

 

Presented to the outstanding soldier and airmen who are selected for that fiscal year. The ribbon takes precedence immediately after the KY Commendation Ribbon.

Description: The ribbon is equally divided into green, purple and blue with two 1/2 inch white stripes separating each color. The ribbon is worn with the blue closest to the heart for the Air Guard and the green closest to the heart for the Army Guard.

Kentucky Service Ribbon

 

The Kentucky Service Ribbon is awarded to members of the Kentucky National Guard who have completed five years of honorable service in the KYNG. The years of service need not have been performed consecutively; however, it must have been in an active status in any KY service component of the Armed Forces of the United States, exclusive of service in an inactive status. Oak Leaf Clusters will be authorized to denote succeeding years of service. Members formerly awarded the Thirty Year Ribbon are authorized to continue wearing the ribbon.

Description: The Kentucky Service Ribbon is gold with two equally sized and spaced royal blue stripes 1/2 inch from each end.

Kentucky Overseas Service Ribbon

 

Members of the KYNG who have honorably completed 10 days or more of consecutive active duty service outside the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and US possessions and territories in a title 32 or title 10 Active Duty status. The day of departure counts; the day of return does not. This award is not applicable when service is recognized by Federal service award. Numerals will be used to denote second and subsequent awards of the KY Overseas Service Ribbon.

Description: The Kentucky Overseas Service Ribbon is a white ribbon with a 1/4 inch band of navy blue on the left and a 1/4 inch band of red on the right.

Kentucky Homeland Security Ribbon

 

Members of the Kentucky National Guard who have honorably completed 45 or more consecutive days Active Duty for Training / Active Duty Special Work Operational Training (Force Protection), or Title 10 Active Duty tour in support of Homeland Security (continental United States such as Operation Noble Eagle). Members of the 41st CST: Responding to a declared Federal Response Mission as directed by National Guard Bureau Emergency Operations Center; Responding as directed by the Adjutant General in accordance with a validated mission under an Executive Order. Subsequent Awards: To signify receipt of a second award a bronze service star will be worn on the service ribbon.

Description: A red, white, blue, and gold ribbon 1 3/8 inches in length and 3/8 inches wide with four 1/8 inch dark blue vertical stripes, two 1/8 inch gold vertical stripes, three 1/16 inch white vertical stripes, and two 3/8 inch red vertical stripes.

Kentucky Counter Drug Ribbon

 

The Kentucky Counter Drug Ribbon will be awarded to any member of the National Guard who provides support to counter drug missions after 4 February 2007. The Service Member must complete a minimum of 10 consecutive days of service to be eligible. This ribbon is awarded once. Subsequent periods of qualifying service are not recognized with additional appurtenances.

Description: The Kentucky Counter Drug Ribbon is a light green with two vertical yellow stripes.

Kentucky State Active Duty Ribbon

 

The Kentucky State Active Duty Ribbon may be awarded to members of the Kentucky National Guard who honorably served three or more consecutive days on state active duty during a disaster, civil disturbance, or declarations of emergency designated by the Governor of Kentucky. For each succeeding period that justifies the award of a decoration, a bronze oak leaf cluster will be awarded. One silver oak leaf cluster replaces 5 bronze oak leaf clusters and is worn to the wearer's right of bronze oak leaf clusters on the same ribbon.

Description: The ribbon is a clutch back with navy blue bars on each end and a gold bar in the center of equal width.

Kentucky Physical Fitness Ribbon

 

The Kentucky Physical Fitness Ribbon may be awarded to any member of the Kentucky National Guard for the following: The soldier attains the highest overall score within their major command on the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) for record with a minimum score of 290 points. The APFT must be taken at the scheduled unit PT test or unit make-up test (reflected on the unit training schedule) from 1 October through 30 September. Points above 300 will be counted for this award as follows: 1 point for each additional pushup, 1 point for each additional sit-up, and 1 point for each additional 6 seconds on the run. In the event of a tie, more than one soldier can be awarded the ribbon.

Description: A gray/silver ribbon with a black band on each end and three red stripes equally spaced in the center.

Kentucky Army National Guard Recruiting Ribbon

 

Members of the Kentucky National Guard (except Full-Time Recruiting Force) who refers five (5) people that enlist in the Kentucky National Guard will be awarded the ribbon. The recruiter who receives the referrals will make a recommendation in writing to the Recruiting NCOIC. The NCOIC and the Sergeant Major will verify the enlistments for the award of the ribbon or bronze star. Subsequent Awards: One bronze star will be awarded for each additional five enlistments, not to exceed four (4) stars.

Description: A blue, white and red ribbon 1/12 inches in length and 3/8 inches wide with three 3/8-inch horizontal stripes, 1/8 inch in width. The blue stripe will be worn on the top.

Kentucky Air National Guard First Sergeant Ribbon

 

The Kentucky Air National Guard First Sergeant Ribbon is established to recognize the meritorious service of members assigned to the First Sergeant career field (AFSC 8F000). The 123 AW First Sergeant's Council will supply the ribbon for presentation. Award of the ribbon is retroactive for individuals who have previously served in a valid First Sergeant position.

Description: The Kentucky Air National Guard First Sergeant Ribbon shall consist of a plain blue field with a silver diamond device centered.

Berlin Crisis Service Ribbon

 

(No Longer Issued)

The Berlin Crisis Service Ribbon maybe awarded to members of the Kentucky Army National Guard who served on active duty during the Berlin Crisis from October 1961 to August 1962.

Description: The Berlin Crisis Service Ribbon is dark red, white and blue. The edges are 1/16 inch blue bands. Remainder of the ribbon is divided into equal segments of red on either side of white, superimposed over the white band is three narrow blue bars. Centered both horizontally and vertically in bronze is a bar which reads -BERLIN CRISIS- preceded and followed by a five-point star.

Kentucky National Guard Junior ROTC Distinguished Cadet Medal

 

The Kentucky National Guard Junior ROTC Distinguished Cadet Medal is awarded to the top Junior ROTC Cadet from each High School ROTC program within the Commonwealth of Kentucky each academic year.

Description: The Kentucky National Guard Junior ROTC Distinguished Cadet Medal is a pewter medal with the Minuteman superimposed on the raised image of the State of Kentucky with the words – Kentucky National Guard Achievement – inscribed around the medal. The ribbon is navy blue with five 1/8-inch vertical gold stripes.

Kentucky Medal for Merit

 

Courtesy of COL (R) Harold Loy.

The medal is no longer in use. The current award that presumably took its place is the Kentucky Merit Ribbon. It is unknown at this time when this award was changed.

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